Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Fresh controversy has erupted among stakeholders in Ogoniland, Rivers State, over the planned resumption of oil exploration in the area, with KAGOTE and the facilitators of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC) exchanging sharply worded statements on the credibility and transparency of the process.
The latest development came as the Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF) Worldwide announced plans to convene a national congress of Ogoni youths to address emerging disagreements over the proposed oil resumption, while demanding 500 direct employment opportunities from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), instead of the 40 slots reportedly allocated to Ogoni youths.
KAGOTE, an apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ogoni people, in a statement signed by its President, Chief Lesi Maol, said it was not opposed to the Federal Government, President Bola Tinubu, National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, the ODC or responsible oil production in Ogoniland.
It, however, demanded greater transparency over the composition of the ODC’s harmonisation committee, reported oil-related activities in Ogoniland, confidence-building projects, employment opportunities and the sharing of information among members of the dialogue committee.
